Valentine’s Day Spending – Wendy Guzman: CouplesWendy Guzman, friends and families across America were exchanging heart-shaped chocolates, flowers and love notes this past weekend while credit cards were being swiped and dollar bills flying out of their pockets. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated  that $21.8 billion would be spent on Valentine’s Day in 2021. A decrease from 2020’s $27.4 billion, which happened to fall weeks before the pandemic greatly affected most of the country.

MSU will lift enhance physical distancing directive in phases – Emily Bevard: According to an email sent out this past Friday, Michigan State University will lift its enhanced physical distancing directive in phases. Following a rapid increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate, the directive came on Jan. 30 and was set to last through 11:59 p.m. on  Feb. 13. Between the weeks of Jan. 18 and Jan. 25, cases increased from 115 per week to 205 cases per week associated with the university. Cases have decreased to 99 during the week of Feb. 1. Despite the decrease in cases, the email states that cases have not yet reached a level that is safe to completely lift the enhanced directive.

Winter storm blasts across country, Ingham County under winter weather advisory – Jack Armstrong: Areas throughout the country are left without power after a huge winter storm on Monday. The National Weather Service says. “Millions of Americans are currently under Winter Storm Warnings, Ice Storm Warnings, Winter Storm Watches, or Winter Weather Advisories as impactful winter weather continues from coast-to-coast.”

Script Writer: Kelly Winters

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